2003 Chevrolet Astro: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Brakes · 50,000 miles · NY

I am complaining of the safety issues regarding the ABS computer system. I have put my vehicle in the shop to be checked out by a few car repair facilities and all have said the same thing my ABS cpu. My van is hesitating terribly and causing the van to not accelerate properly. I have nearly been in three accidents since the problem has been occurring. I have also done some research on this issue via internet and found that many people are having the same problem across the USA. And gm is blaming it on the weather conditions in the north but the problems are happening to astro vans(2003) across the entire us. This is a problem that should be addressed as soon as possible.. The contact stated while applying brake pressure at 20mph or less, the ABS activated with an increased stopping distance. The vehicle was seen by an independent repair shop. A diagnostic test was performed which indicated a failure in the right front wheel speed sensor. The mechanic determined the wheel speed sensor of the antilock brakes needed to be replaced. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v379000, regarding the antilock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. This vehicle currently has this issue, and was checked by a repair shop. They described the problem undetectable; the recall was on models up to 2002. It seems that it carried over to this model, can the dealer assist in replacing the parts. I would pay the labor but the parts involved are about $1500.00 from the dealer alone. Can I get help from the federal safety agency to get this critical issue resolved.

Filed May 17, 2011 · Electrical · CA

2003 chevrolet astro van. Consumer states the steering knuckle/arm is designed in a way that causes it to come into contact with a wiring harness when the vehicle is turned to the left *tgw over a period of time, the constant contact damaged the wiring harness and allowed the steering knuckle/arm to touch the wires inside the wiring harness. The end result caused damage to other wires. The consumer stated the problem started in february 2011 when making a left turn would sometimes cause the radio and the AC to die. The ABS light and brake light would also come on and the brake pedal would sink to the floor. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Two weeks ago, while pulling out of a parking space, everything died. The engine would not restart and nothing electrical worked. The consumer was unable to exit the vehicle and there was a smell of burning wires. The consumer was finally able to manually push up the door locks to exit the vehicle. *jb the consumer stated he discovered a tsb and found the steering knuckle was not the source of the problem, but the battery cable retaining clips were not properly secured in their retaining holes in the engine cradle frame below the engine oil pan. As a result, the battery cable made contact with the steering linkage components and rubbed through the insulation on the cable. Updated 06/01/11

Filed Apr 25, 2011 · Electrical · 80,246 miles · CA

Potentially dangerous defect in the 2003 chevrolet astro van. The steering knuckle/arm is designed in a way that causes it to come into contact with a wiring harness when the vehicle is turned sharply to the left. Over a period of time, this constant contact damages the wiring harness and allows the steering knuckle/arm to touch the wires inside the wiring harness. The wiring harness is connected directly to the battery so the end result is damage to other wires also sheathed in that wiring harness. Two weeks ago, while pulling out of a grocery store parking space, everything died. The engine would not re-start and nothing electrical worked, from the door locks to the radio. Everything was dead. We could smell burning wires and tried to get out of the vehicle. Because the doors were locked we could not get them open. We had to manually push up our door locks; each of us pushing up the lock of our own door, so that we could get out of the vehicle. Since then when the problem occurred, additional issue was that the ABS light and brake light would come on and the brake pedal would sink to the floor. We came close to rear-ending someone several times. On april 23, 2011, we showed the damaged wiring harness to the mechanic at the chevrolet dealership. Within two hours, we received a call to let us know the electronic control module (ECM) and the anti-lock brake (ABS) module had been damaged. Both had to be replaced at a cost of over $2,100. We contacted general motors customer service this morning. Their response was that they considered this issue to be caused by ?normal wear, based upon the age of the vehicle.? We disagree with their findings. Concern is that this defect can cause damage to important safety items, such as the brakes and door locks. The area of the wiring harness that is coming into contact with the steering knuckle/arm should either be moved or better protected. We don't want other drivers injured.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Brakes · 173,000 miles · 00 · crash

I was driving approximately 30 miles per hour along slightly snow-covered road towards stopped traffic at red light on a slight downgrade. I stepped on the brakes gentle, as required by the conditions, but the ABS system started to shudder and the vehicle did not brake at all. I hit a stopped vehicle at the intersection and even with a relatively slow speed impact, our vehicle was written off and the other was towed away because it could not be driven. Our van was drivable, but just barely, and was subsequently written off by the insurance company. I was charged with careless driving which was absolutely not the case. We have another vehicle of the same year and similar model and it does the same thing occasionally but so far this has not resulted in any further collisions. We have owned astro vans since they were first marketed in 1985 and this is the first one to act like this. We purchased 1985, 1992, 1998, and 2003 models (2). I am asking my wife, rose, who is also the registered owner of the vehicle to submit this report on my behalf. Please respond to her with any resolutions. We purchased the salvage from the insurance company so it is still in our possession although not on the road.

Filed Jan 6, 2009 · Brakes · NY

2003 chevrolet astro with brake problems. Consumer states that gm will not reimburse her for the repairs made on her vehicle. *kb the consumer stated while braking at low speeds, the vehicle lunged forward. Also, the ABS light illuminated. The consumer had to pay to have the sensors replaced.

Filed Aug 19, 2008 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · NC

On several occasions over the past few months, the ABS light on my van has been coming on and when I apply the brakes, the van jerks around on the road and pulls to the left. I have almost hit other cars on many of these occasions. I had my mechanic look at it recently and he said he checked out the braking system and can see no visible reason for this happening.

Filed May 16, 2007 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · VT

Abs light on with multiple codes and ABS brakes are activating at slow speeds on dry pavement when the shouldn't be, causing an increasing stopping time and near miss accident.

Filed May 3, 2007 · Brakes, Transmission · 67,800 miles · AZ

Shudder and/or ABS activation during low speed turns, mainly to the left. Vehicle is an 03 astro van awd with 67k miles. Vehicle pulls pretty sharply left when this occurs.

Filed Mar 30, 2007 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · MI

I am complaining of the safety issues regarding the ABS computer system. I have put my vehicle in the shop to be checked out by a few car repair facilities and all have said the same thing my ABS cpu. My van is hesitating terribly and causing the van to not accelerate properly. I have nearly been in three accidents since the problem has been occurring. I have also done some research on this issue via internet and found that many people are having the same problem across the USA. And gm is blaming it on the weather conditions in the north but the problems are happening to astro vans(2003) across the entire us. This is a problem that should be addressed as soon as possible..

Filed Oct 16, 2006 · Brakes · 48,000 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated while braking, the ABS light illuminated and there was a pulsating effect with the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined the left hub and sensor had to be replaced. The problem recurred 5000 miles later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the right sensor and hub needed to be replaced along with the control module of the whole ABS system. The manufacturer was contacted and agreed to pay for half of the repairs. Updated 11/09/06.

Filed Jul 24, 2006 · Brakes · 68,000 miles · MI

Dt: the contact stated the ABS sensor became defective at 45,000 miles. While depressing the brakes at low speeds, the vehicle coasted. On one occasion the vehicle collided with the curb which could have caused a collision. During these incidents the ABS light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle has been taken to two independent repair shops who confirmed that the ABS sensor is defective. They also recommended replacement of the ABS sensor. The contact expressed that the ABS sensor failed long before what was reasonable.

Filed Apr 22, 2006 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · NY

While braking at low speed ABS activates increasing stopping distance almost causing accident weather not a factor road condition not a factor also happens during parking lot maneuvers turning into parking spots ABS activates and seems not to stop note: this is an 2003 all wheel drive astro van.